Review: Gambit No. 6 Bourbon
Chip Tate, the mastermind behind Balcones whiskey and now a sort of whiskey ronin, just arrived with his latest project, Gambit No. 6. Why number 6? Not because there are five gambits before it, but because it’s a 6 year old Kentucky bourbon that features 6 different finishes: in wine (Sonoma chardonnay and Sonoma cabernet…
Review: Khee 38 Soju
Soju (Korea’s rendition of Japanese shochu) is typically bottled at 25% abv or less, but Khee 38 hits a much higher proof point — 38% abv, to be exact, commanding much more of your attention than the typical mass market offering. Also available in a 22 proof variety, Khee 38 is distilled from rice in…
Review: Fosforo Blanco Tequila
Fosforo is joining a growing list of mezcal producers hoping to grab a piece of the much larger tequila market. It’s admittedly a bold move jumping into the overcrowded world of tequila, but brands like Fosforo seem confident that their experience with the more artisanal production methods required of mezcal will set their tequila project…
Review: Non-Alcoholic Spirits of Fluere, Complete Lineup
Fluere is a non-alcoholic spirits brand owned since 2023 by Lucas Bols, known for its extensive liqueur lineup. With a selection of five N/A “spirits” under its command, Fluere covers a vast swatch of the alcohol world with its spiritless takes on gin, rum, mezcal, and more. We tasted the entire lineup. Thoughts — quite…
Review: Russell’s Reserve Bourbon 13 Years Old (Updated 2026)
Wild Turkey’s Russell’s Reserve brand tends to fly under the radar a bit, but ignoring this latest release would be a mistake. It might be the best bottling ever to come out under the label. You’re getting a 13 year old cask-strength bourbon, available for a limited time. Here’s a bit of the story behind…
Review: Blue Note Wheated Bourbon
Memphis-based Blue Note recently added a small batch wheated bourbon to their growing lineup of contract-distilled whiskeys, all of which age in a uniquely humid Tennessee climate near the intersection of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers. The mashbill of 70% corn, 21% soft winter wheat, and 9% malted barley will be familiar to fans of…
Review: TailGate Brewery Core Lineup
Nashville-based TailGate Brewery operates a whopping nine taprooms across Tennessee, but its core beer lineup includes only three offerings (plus a cider). Naturally you’ll find a steady stream of limited editions hitting the market, but if you’re new to the brand, as we are, this is the trio you’re going to encounter. Thoughts follow. TailGate…
Review: Oaklore Story Series 2026 – Old Fashioned and Port Cask Finished Bourbon
A bourbon’s story doesn’t necessarily end when it leaves its original barrel. Increasingly, distillers are turning to secondary maturation to add another chapter, one that can reshape the whiskey beneath it. That idea sits at the heart of Oaklore’s Story Series. Built around the belief that every barrel has a story worth telling, Oaklore Distilling…